"greatness, beauty"
Origin: Ge'ez (Ethiopic)
Language: Amharic
Makeda
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The legendary name of Ethiopia's Queen of Sheba
Ethiopian
East African
Rastafarian
African American
Royal
Strong
Spiritual
Earthy
Bold
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Nicknames
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3 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"the great one"
Origin: Ethiopian
Language: English
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The Story of Makeda
Makeda is the Ethiopian name for the legendary Queen of Sheba, whose visit to King Solomon is recounted in both the Hebrew Bible and the Quran. In Ethiopian tradition recorded in the 14th-century Kebra Nagast (Glory of Kings), she was called Makeda — a name rooted in the ancient Ge'ez language meaning greatness or beauty. She is considered a foundational figure of Ethiopian national identity and the mother of Menelik I, the first Solomonic emperor of Ethiopia.
Makeda gained recognition in the African diaspora through Rastafarian culture, which venerates Ethiopian heritage and the Queen of Sheba. The name carries powerful associations with African queenship and female sovereignty.
In Ethiopia, Makeda is one of the most revered historical figures, and her name carries tremendous spiritual and national significance. Rastafarians also hold her in high esteem as a symbol of African royalty and wisdom.
Historical Record
Makeda first appeared in US Social Security records in 1968.
Over 1,752 babies have been named Makeda in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Makeda is past its peak , currently ranked #5,960 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Makeda is the Ethiopian name for the Queen of Sheba, one of antiquity's most celebrated monarchs
- The Kebra Nagast, written around 1314, documents Makeda's story in detail and is considered a sacred text in Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity
- Ethiopian emperors traced their lineage directly to Makeda and King Solomon for centuries
Makeda in Other Languages
Arabic
ملكة سبأ
Hebrew
מַלְכַּת שְׁבָא
Amharic
ማክዳ
Italian
Machedda
Spanish
Makeda
Popularity Over Time
#5,960
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Peaked 1985
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Makeda
M
Makeda, Queen of Sheba
Royalty
Legendary Ethiopian queen who visited King Solomon, foundational figure of Ethiopian history
M
Makeda Loney
Musician
Grammy-nominated backup singer known for work with major R&B artists
M
Makeda Thomas
Writer
Trinidadian poet and literary scholar
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Compare Makeda with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #5,960
- Total SSA Count
- 21
- Cultural Origins
- Ethiopian East African Rastafarian African American
- Pronunciation
- Moderate
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Mak
Keda
Mae
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, spiritual style, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Makeda
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sounds Like Makeda
Phonetic neighbors that share Makeda's rhythm, vowel shape, or consonant cluster. Tap any name to see its full "names like" list.
Sibling Match
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American blend of Mia + Anna origin
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Frequently Asked Questions About Makeda
What does the name Makeda mean?
"greatness, beauty" (from Ge'ez (Ethiopic)). "the great one" (from Ethiopian). Makeda is the Ethiopian name for the legendary Queen of Sheba, whose visit to King Solomon is recounted in both the Hebrew Bible and the Quran. In Ethiopian tradition recorded in the 14th-century Kebra Nagast (Glory of Kings), she was called Makeda — a name rooted in the ancient Ge'ez language meaning greatness or beauty. She is considered a foundational figure of Ethiopian national identity and the mother of Menelik I, the first Solomonic emperor of Ethiopia.
What is the origin of the name Makeda?
Makeda has Ge'ez (Ethiopic), Ethiopian, East African, Rastafarian, and African American origins. In Ge'ez (Ethiopic), it means "greatness, beauty". In Ethiopian, it means "the great one".
Is Makeda a boy or girl name?
Makeda is primarily used as a girl name.
How popular is the name Makeda?
Makeda is currently ranked #5960 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Makeda?
Common nicknames for Makeda include Mak, Keda, and Mae.
What are good middle names for Makeda?
Popular middle name pairings include Makeda Grace, Makeda Joy, Makeda Amara, Makeda Zuri, Makeda Faith, Makeda Rose, and Makeda Selam.
What are good sibling names for Makeda?
Names that pair well with Makeda as siblings include Zara, Amara, Lila, Nadia, Kofi, Amara, Soren, and Elias.
How many syllables does Makeda have?
Makeda has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Makeda a common or rare name?
Makeda is an uncommon name, ranked #5960 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What girl names are similar to Makeda?
About the Name Makeda
Makeda is a girl name with Ethiopian, East African, Rastafarian, and African American origins . The name means "greatness, beauty" in Ge'ez (Ethiopic) .
Makeda is currently ranked #5,960 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Makeda has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Makeda include Mak, Keda, and Mae. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Makeda include Makenna, Makenzie, Makena, Makenzi . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis